Rich Strike jockey Sonny Leon suspended

Successful the Kentucky Derby might be career-changing for Sonny Leon, however not straight away. 

Wealthy Strike’s jockey is serving a suspension this week, his fifth since September.

Two days after using an 80-1 shot to victory in America’s most prestigious horse race, the 32-year-old Venezuelan started a four-day suspension for careless using that may stop him from competing once more till Friday. 

Jockey agent Jeff Perrin mentioned Leon had been supplied alternatives to journey at Gulfstream this week however will as a substitute journey seven races Friday at Cincinnati’s Belterra Park earlier than selecting up “a bit of further enterprise” at Churchill Downs through the weekend.

Day after:Coach Eric Reed says Wealthy Strike ‘in actually fine condition’ following Kentucky Derby stunner

“We’re nonetheless making an attempt to come back again to earth,” Perrin mentioned. “I’ve reached out to a number of the trainers on the bottom that I talked to on Derby weekend. What we’re not going to do is neglect the individuals who helped us get to the Derby.”

Leon has gained 71 of his 399 begins this 12 months, however the Derby was the primary graded stakes victory of his profession. 

“With no shadow of a doubt, it is put him on the map,” Perrin mentioned. “It is onerous to fathom. Our dream was to attract in and get into the Derby.” 

Leon was already the No. 1 rider for Wealthy Strike’s coach, Eric Reed, and had ridden all of Reed’s Belterra entries this month previous to his suspension. Reed changed him with veteran jockey John McKee Tuesday at Belterra, successful one of many races he entered. The whole purse for the $18,600 allowance race was equal to 1% of the winner’s share of the Derby purse.

Trying forward:Kentucky Derby winner Wealthy Strike heads potential subject for Might 21 Preakness at Pimlico

Why is Wealthy Strike’s jockey suspended?

Based on regulatory rulings compiled by the Affiliation of Racing Commissioners Worldwide, this newest penalty is Leon’s third careless using suspension previously 9 months. He has additionally been sanctioned for presenting false and altered paperwork from a bodily examination to West Virginia stewards and for inflicting seen accidents on one among his mounts by misuse of the whip.

The 5 suspensions whole 32 days Leon has or might be sidelined since Sept. 15.

“You do need to be aggressive to win,” Perrin mentioned. “I believe there are judgment calls that folks make, and I do not need to touch upon it an excessive amount of for political causes. However it’s a must to be aggressive.” 

Leon’s newest suspension was imposed by stewards at Ohio’s Thistledown following an April 27 incident wherein Leon’s filly, One Glamorous Gal, was discovered to have interfered with Extremely Rays in a $28,000 allowance race, after the rider “intentionally and aggressively steered in in the direction of the rail to dam on-coming horses on the within.”

What are the percentages? Wealthy Strike wins Kentucky Derby 2022 on 80-1 odds. Was he the most important lengthy shot ever?

Jockey Alexander Chavez, aboard Extremely Rays, pushed Leon along with his proper hand throughout a bumpy journey in mid-stretch. However whereas Leon filed an objection, each jockeys had been suspended and their mounts disqualified. Extremely Rays had crossed the end line second; One Glamorous Gal third.

Leon’s suspension was initially set at eight days however was lowered to 4 as a result of he didn’t attraction. The particular dates had been set in order to not disrupt his current using obligations. Like most racing jurisdictions, Ohio guidelines don’t prohibit participation in “designated races” such because the Kentucky Derby when a using infraction carries a suspension of 10 days or much less.

Tim Sullivan: 502-582-4650, tsullivan@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @TimSullivan714